Are Smoothies Healthy? Here’s How to Strike a Balance

Are smoothies healthy? The answer seems pretty easy and straight forward. However, that’s not always the case.

Smoothies are a great way to pack in a nutrient dense meal, but if you’re not careful you can add unwanted sugar and calories to your smoothie and actually pack on the pounds.

It’s the easiest way to boost your daily fruit intake, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing can be bad when it comes to adding fruit to your smoothies.

The smart way to drinking smoothies is to be mindful of the ingredients you put in them. You should be mindful of the ounces, especially. A 20 – 24-fluid –ounce smoothie a day is a lot and any dietician will agree that that’s too much.

The key to drinking them is not stuffing in as many healthy foods as possible, it’s about adding in the right foods that are going to fill you up, keep you fuller longer, and help you lose (or maintain) your weight.

Many make the mistake of adding so much fruit into their morning smoothie (with good intentions) that they only end up adding too much sugar instead which then makes the smoothie pointless. You might as well have drunk a coke by the time you’ve added in all the sugar.

We’ve seen several reports come out that say smoothies are the new health risk, but they don’t have to be when you follow the easy steps listed above.

The best thing about smoothies is they’re quick and easy to make, they improve digestion, and aid in weight loss when they’re made right. They can be used to detoxify the body and they’re actually really delicious. You can be as creative as you want with them so long as you’re mindful of the calories and sugar you’re putting in them.

Adding the right ingredients like a scoop of protein can build muscles, strengthen your immune system, and even provide you with radiant skin, nails, and hair.

Another great benefit to smoothies is that you can diversify them as much as you’d like. You don’t have to drink the same one with the same ingredients each day. With all the varieties of fruit and vegetable out there, you’re bound to find several you like.

This will keep you from getting bored and keep you on track to living a healthier and balanced lifestyle.

Not to mention, you’re actually saving money when you make them at home versus walking into a smoothie shop.

And on top of saving money, it’s also saving you calories and sugar because you’re in direct control of what ingredients are being added.